Landtag of Vienna

Landtag of Vienna. It is the unicameral state parliament for the Austrian federal state and capital city of Vienna, exercising both state legislative and municipal council functions in a unique dual role. Established under the 1920 Austrian Constitution, it convenes at the historic Vienna City Hall in the Innere Stadt district. The body's 100 members are elected by proportional representation and its president, a position held since 2018 by Ernst Woller, presides over its sessions.

History

The Landtag was established following the adoption of the 1920 Austrian Constitution, which created the federal system and defined Vienna as both a city and a state. Its early years were marked by the turbulent politics of the First Austrian Republic, including conflicts between the Social Democrats and the Christian Social Party. The parliament was dissolved following the Austrian Civil War in 1934 and abolished entirely after the Anschluss with Nazi Germany in 1938. It was reconstituted after the end of World War II in 1945, with its first post-war session held under the Allied occupation administered by the Soviet Union, United States, United Kingdom, and France. Since the restoration of full sovereignty with the Austrian State Treaty in 1955, it has operated continuously under the framework of the Constitution of Austria.

Composition and election

The Landtag consists of 100 members, known as deputies, who are elected for five-year terms based on a system of proportional representation using the D'Hondt method. All citizens of the European Union who are at least 16 years old and have their primary residence in Vienna are eligible to vote. Elections are held concurrently with the election for the municipal council, as the two bodies are identical in composition. The state is divided into multiple electoral districts which correspond to the city's 23 districts, and seats are allocated to party lists that surpass a 5% electoral threshold. Notable parties that have consistently won representation include the SPÖ, the ÖVP, and the FPÖ.

Functions and powers

As the state parliament, it holds the legislative power for Vienna, passing laws known as Landesgesetze (state laws) in areas of provincial competence such as kindergarten education, land use planning, and nature conservation. Simultaneously, as the municipal council, it enacts statutes governing local affairs like public transportation, housing, and cultural institutions including the Vienna State Opera and MuseumsQuartier. It elects and oversees the city-state's executive branch, the City Senate, and confirms the mayor, who also serves as the Governor of Vienna. The body approves the annual budget for entities like Wiener Linien and the Vienna General Hospital, and can initiate investigations through committees of inquiry.

Leadership and organization

The leadership is headed by the President of the Landtag, an office held by Ernst Woller of the SPÖ since 2018, assisted by two vice-presidents, currently Josef Taucher and Tanja Wehsely. The president presides over plenary sessions, maintains order, and represents the parliament externally. Work is organized through standing committees focused on areas such as finance, construction, and social affairs. The main committees prepare legislation for the plenum and conduct oversight of the executive administration led by the Vienna City Senate. The parliament's administration is managed by a directorate, which supports the work of the deputies and the various political clubs formed by the represented parties.

Current composition and recent elections

Following the 2020 Viennese state election, the composition is dominated by the SPÖ which holds 46 seats, continuing its longstanding governance in coalition with The Greens who have 9 seats. The opposition consists of the ÖVP with 22 seats, the FPÖ with 14, NEOS with 8, and one seat held by the KPÖ Plus. This election saw a significant gain for the ÖVP under its former leader Gernot Blümel but was not enough to alter the governing majority. Previous elections, such as the 2015 Viennese state election, had resulted in a coalition between the SPÖ and the Greens, a partnership that was renewed after the 2020 results.

Building and seat

The Landtag convenes in the Vienna City Hall (Rathaus), a monumental Neo-Gothic building constructed between 1872 and 1883 under architect Friedrich von Schmidt, located on the Rathausplatz in the Innere Stadt. The plenary chamber, used for sessions, is situated within this complex, which also houses the offices of the Mayor of Vienna and the Vienna City Senate. The building is a historic landmark, adjacent to the Burgtheater and the University of Vienna, and faces the Rathauspark. Important ceremonial events, such as the annual reception for the Vienna Philharmonic, are also held here. The parliament has no separate building, reflecting the integrated nature of the city and state administration.